Colossian Blog

All too often, hope leaks from our souls, allowing despair to settle in and take residence. Oh, itâ€™s not enough to set off alarms, and weâ€™re more than capable of burying it under the rush of holiday shopping. But despairâ€™s cumulative effect erodes our faith, leaving us at the mercy of nagging fears and silencing our witness to the reconciling power of Christ. As the anxieties of our culture, as well as our limits, press on us, fear propels us further into isolation or hostility. Either response belies the hope that the apostle Paul writes about in Romans 5:5: â€śand hope doesnâ€™t disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.â€ť The Holy Spirit replenishes hope, empowering us to live patient, faithful lives in these complicated times. Because I feel these pressures too, Iâ€™ve been thinking and writing about hope, fear, and the Holy Spirit over the last few months. Adopting virtues such as humility, patience, kindness, and forbearanceâ€”to name a fewâ€”is impossible without the Holy Spirit. I know this through my own hard experience with my own failures. We really are powerless to effect change ourselves. Thatâ€™s why the mission of The Colossian Forumâ€”to transform conflict into an opportunity for spiritual growth and witnessâ€”is ridiculously audacious. Audacious in the â€śfearlessâ€ť sense: boldly admitting that the sheer impossibility of unity-despite-our-differenceâ€”without Godâ€™s loving Spirit poured out. This Advent season begs us to reflect on such things as hope, fear, love, powerlessness, and the audacity of the gospel weâ€™re called to patiently proclaim and embody, however seemingly small and insignificant our actions seem. Cutting through the cultural hype, we struggle to recall that angels provided the only fanfare to the desperate, obscure circumstance of an ordinary couple. Only a gaggle of shepherds and a few errant wise men witnessed the glory of Immanuelâ€™s birth. Advent teaches us to wait expectantly for what the world overlooks. As I reflect on the 2017 launch of The Colossian Way small group experience, we catch these little glimpses of transformationâ€”glimpses easily overlooked. Pastors encouraged to stay the course. Family members continuing to communicate in the midst of pain. Denominations convening difficult but honest conversations, knowing that the process could be a long one. Patience and curiosity in the middle of intergenerational dialogue. Fear acquiescing to hope. We are moving steadily toward our â€śaudaciousâ€ť goal of training 200 leaders and 1,200 participants in The Colossian Way, with 2018 promising to take us halfway there. I invite you to journey with us toward hope. Together, through your partnership in prayer, involvement, and generosity, we can glory in what the noisy world overlooksâ€”Christians cultivating daily faithfulness in the midst of wrenching polarization, division, and conflict. I invite you to journey with usâ€”reading, learning, conversing, praying, and givingâ€”as we grow to love God and each other more.

Q: How can a conflict be a place of Christian formation? A: While most people see a divisive issue as a problem to overcome, at The Colossian Forum we see such conflicts as places of growth. Conflict shines light on our souls. When pressures mount, our character becomes apparent. Some of what we see is disappointing, as when we protect ourselves more than our vulnerable neighbor. On the other hand, when humility emerges under pressure, it is humility indeed. But beyond learning about ourselves, conflicts are classrooms for learning new habits. Messy conflicts are more than problems to be solved. They place us on the brink of being more deeply formed as Christians. Unfortunately, we have been deeply formed by our polarized culture. The 24-hour news cycle teaches us that there are two ways of seeing the world: a right way and a wrong way, and that both can be summarized in a tweet. Our constant consumption of news, of arguments, information, facts, and stats from our channel of choice plays to our belief that if we can just deploy the right information with enough flair, the world will be forced to see things our way. But then we discover (over and over again) that this doesnâ€™t work. The other side always has a counterargument. We get frustrated and begin thinking of them as willfully naĂŻve, stupid, or just plain evil. Each time the news cycle goes around, we are tempted to increasing viciousness. Our capacity for living according to Christâ€™s pattern grows weaker and weaker. But thereâ€™s always a God-pleasing way forward for Christians. When we recognize our malformation, we have the opportunity to seek Godâ€™s gracious work that will re-form us into the shape we were intended to be. And we have a role in this reshaping work. Christians have always recognized that â€śgetting savedâ€ť is only the beginning of growing in faithfulness. Walking this road of formation, of discipleship, is a central mark of the Christian life. Our formation as disciples proceeds best if it flows out of more than good intentions. Christians have generally understood certain practices to build good Christian character. Prayer, Bible reading, receiving the Lordâ€™s Supper, hymn singing, giving to those in need: such traditional practices form Christians (by Godâ€™s grace) into people who are patient, humble, truthful, and loving. These basic Christian practices can be helpfully complemented by additional practices that are particularly suited for responding to the cultural pressures of the age. The Colossian WayÂ is a practice of engaging a challenging topic while simultaneously pursuing obedience and faithfulness to Christ. Such a practice channels the pressure and energy around a â€śhot topicâ€ť into constructive spiritual formation. At the same time, good formation is the best pathway for solving the problem before us.

This month's prayer letter talked about our death before us, even when our resurrection is secure. Our world is full of struggle right now, and Advent reminds us that we join the suffering of our Savior, in both big and small ways. The "small house church" mentioned in the letter is Kalamazoo Mennonite Fellowship, and Pastor Will Fitzgerald gave us permission to post this sermon from Christ the King Sunday, November 26. We hope you enjoy a moment of hope and reassurance from this Gospel message today. Ephesians 1:15-23 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. This passage is from the first letter of Paul to the church in Ephesus, and he has heard good things about them. This is what he has heard: they have true faith in Jesus, and they show love to others, especially those in the church in need. Every time Paul thinks of them, he gives God thanks for them. I think we know what thatâ€™s like. Whenever I think about our former member, Elisha, it brings a smile to my face, and I often thank God. Who are people like that for you? Paul does something else for them: he prays for them. There are many things you can pray for someone, and many reasons why you think God will answer your prayer. In Paulâ€™s case, he knows God can answer his prayer because God the Father was so powerful that he took a dead Jesus and raised him from death into a position of power â€“Â theÂ position of power, seated at the Fatherâ€™s right hand. He declared Christ to be king, king over everything. Christ is king over every â€śrule and authority and power and dominion.â€ť That means Christ is king over the United States government, over the Democratic and Republican parties, over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), over the armed forces. Christ is King over our bosses and the companies we work for. Christ is King over our parents and spouses and children. Christ is king over systems of addiction and every system of oppression. If there is something we truly need, none of these powerful things will get in the way of our achieving it through our powerful God. It may not come right away, but it will come in Godâ€™s own time. What are things that you feel powerless over? How can knowing that God is more powerful than whatever has you in its grip help you? Christ is also king over â€śevery name that is named.â€ť If it has a name, Christ is king over it. Christ is king over Donald J. Trump. Christ is king over every president and leader in the world. Christ is king over cancer and every disease. Christ is king over sadness and failure, and every moral lack. Christ is king over the devil and sin and hell and death. What could you name that frightens or threatens you? How does your obedience to Christ the King give you courage and strength? Paul finishes this section by saying that Christ the king orders everything for the sake of his body, which is the church. We are filled with Christ, who fills everything. And so, a bit, it comes full circle. Paul goes down this path because he remembered the faith of the believers at Ephesus, and how they loved other people. This is how Christ seems to be filling out the church: by making it full of faith and full of love. One of the ways we can think about becoming can be the â€śgood sheepâ€ť that Ezekiel and Jesus talk about is exactly this: to increase in our trust of Jesus and to continue to love the people around us. Itâ€™s as simple and as hard as that. In closing let me ask these questions again: What things do you feel powerless over, that Christ, nonetheless, is king over? How does this change how you act or feel? What things can you name that frighten or threaten you? How does Christ the King give you courage and strength? How can this week be full of the â€śfullness of Christâ€ť as you love others and increase your faith in him?

In the midst of all the noise this holiday season, we want to thank you for your ongoing investment in The Colossian Forumâ€™s transformational mission. You understand both the challenge and the promise of Colossians 1:17 that â€śall things hold together in Christâ€ťâ€”even Christâ€™s body, the church. You faithfully pray, volunteer, provide expertise, and give, and we are deeply grateful! Yesterday, we participated in #GivingTuesday, an annual day of charitable giving thatÂ piggybacks on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. We deeply appreciate the many prayers, gifts, and investment in us over the past year. We know that itâ€™s hard to be hopeful during times of deepening cultural division when conflict threatens to fracture our closest relationships. Our mission is to equipÂ the church with resources and practices to bridge the divides that polarize and paralyze us. We believe these wrenching conflicts provide an opportunity for the hope and healing we long for. Thanks for being part of the journey.Â May our unity in the midst of difference be a testimony to the wholeness and holiness of our Triune God.

We tend to think that more information will solve our problems. But you canâ€™t read up on marathons and then go out and run 26 miles without training. Likewise, we canâ€™t expect to live a Christ-shaped life without engaging in discipleship. At The Colossian Forum, weâ€™re helping people move beyond stockpiling information to intentionally allowing Godâ€™s spirit to form them, especially in pressured situations. Godly formation is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It occurs when we allow the Spirit to guide what we participate in and how we participate. Through practice, we can grow to be more like Christ. Living an unintentional life is much like shifting your car into drive and allowing it to steer itself. Youâ€™ll still go in a direction, but probably not a good one! How do we practice spiritual formation? Start by examining the practices you already inhabit. Are they moving you in the right directionâ€”to a deeper love of God and neighbor? Are you displaying the fruit of the Spirit in everyday situations? Are you living a life worthy of the call youâ€™ve been given in Christ? Next, consider if a few of your current activities or habits can be altered, re-directed, or replaced in order to steer your spirit in a more life-giving direction. Wake up and visit a prayer website or read Scripture instead of immediately scrolling through your newsfeed. Or begin the day in prayer, asking God to set your priorities instead of looking through your to-do list or calendar. Intentional Christ-forming practices also ready you for times of conflict. Rather than marshaling your well-honed argument or information arsenal to win against your neighbor, ask what it would take to bring this person one step closer to God. We believe the church can be more beautifulâ€”not only for us in the church but also for the watching world. We long for something better for ourselves and for our Christian communities. That â€śsomething betterâ€ť is the goal of Christ-empowered formation. What about you? What are some ongoing God-centered routines, traditions, and habits in your life? How do they nurture your spiritual sensitivity and growth? What do they look like day-to-day? Let us know; we'd love to hear about it!

Lou Huesmann attended our recent Colossian Way leader training with a team of people from his church, Grace in Long Beach, CA.Â He sent us a link to this article in Christianity Today, which talks about a new book from Alan Jacobs, How to Think. "This is aÂ ready-made explanation for anyone who wants to understand why The Colossian Forum is needed," said Lou. We couldn't agree more. Petitions, protests, and popular rallies reveal our deeply ingrained belief that voices shouting loudly in unison can shape reality. In todayâ€™s climate, many of us crave clear battle lines between good and evil and abhor anyone who dares admit that complex problems donâ€™t have simple answers. And heaven help any poor public figures foolish enough to sincerely change their minds. Read the full article here.Â (The article is behind CT's paywall, so if you don't have a subscription, you can check out more on How to Think via Amazon or your local bookseller.)

The Colossian Forum equips leaders to transform messy cultural conflicts into opportunities for spiritual growth and witness. Our vision: a Christian community that acts Christian, especially in the face of conflict.